North Kingstown voters to decide on sewer expansion in Wickford and along Post Road

Thursday

Jun 12, 2014 at 12:01 AM

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve two referendums for expanding sewers in Wickford’s commercial area and along Post Road north of Quonset..

By DONITA NAYLOR

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to decide whether to approve two referendums for expanding sewers in Wickford’s commercial area and along Post Road north of Quonset.

The cost will be paid over 20 years by owners of the connected properties, through assessments. No other property owners, businesses or residents will be taxed for the costs, a fact sheet about the referendums stated.

In February, the Town Council unanimously agreed to seek authorization from the legislature to issue bonds and notes to finance sewer construction.

The amount to be financed for the Wickford work would be $4.9 million. The amount to be financed for the Post Road north work would be $6.6 million. Both approvals would include authorization to impose sewer assessments and user fees on the properties that would be connected.

In Wickford, the assessment for businesses will be calculated after all the participants, costs and grants are known, said Public Works Director Phil Bergeron. A recent estimate puts the assessment at $56,000 to $60,000 per EDU, or equivalent dwelling unit, which is about 345 gallons per day, considered the amount a household would use in a day. Private residences in Wickford were dropped from the proposal.

Paige Bronk, North Kingstown’s economic development manager, called Wickford a “very charming community” that is limited by its infrastructure. “A number of businesses desire to come to Wickford, but when they find out what’s involved in upgrading antiquated septic systems, it’s a deal breaker.”

The purpose of the projects is to upgrade infrastructure, preserve the environment, enhance economic vitality and generate business revenue. Both projects are recommended by a North Kingstown community market analysis, which was presented April 21 by 4Ward Planning.

The sewer mains would be installed within public roadways, easements or on public property and be connected to the treatment facility at Quonset, the fact sheet said. Construction is expected to take place in 2016 and 2017.

The Wickford section is mainly Brown Street and some commercial properties on Main and West Main streets and some on Phillips Street, including the former Wickford Elementary, which is being eyed as a hotel and conference center.

The Post Road north area includes properties north of the Quonset Gateway development to School Street. That area will be assessed by commercial acreage, and a recent estimate puts the assessment at $1.42 per square foot, Bergeron said.

Bronk said the Post Road North area is another antiquated corridor. “We really believe sewers will be a primary factor” to help that corridor “look better, function better and become a main commercial corridor in future years.”

Martha Pughe, executive director of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, urged residents to support their town. “I just think if we get sewers, this is the beginning to all great things in North Kingstown.”

Her organization has put out signs that say: “Help NK take care of ‘BUSINESS.’ Vote June 17 Yes on NUMBER 1 and NUMBER 2.”

Opponents have not come forward since private residences in Wickford were dropped from the proposal, Bergeron said.

“I think most people understand that in order to sustain a community, you have to make some investments,” Bronk said. “And that’s what North Kingstown is doing right now.”

Polls, at Davisville Middle School, 200 School St., and Cold Spring Community Center, 36 Beach St., will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Any registered voter who does not have a valid photo ID can obtain a free voter ID card at the North Kingstown Senior Center, 44 Beach St., on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

For information on your polling place and to see a sample ballot, visit http://sos.ri.gov/elections.